Honolulu is Hawaii's largest City, (about 400,00 people), but it was not the Capital City of the Hawaiian Islands(when I was there. It may be now). Hilo on the Island of Hawaii is the Capital then. We always stay on Waikiki Beach.
I have visited the Hawaiian Island of Oahu from 1956 when we Honeymooned here until the time my Nephew was killed in a car crash that was caused by a drunken driver.
The first time we stayed at the Royal Hawaii, (a grand Hotel that is part of the Sheraton Chain), all the Towers in the Hilton Hawaiian Village and in our own Condo.
On our Honeymoon we flew there on Pan Am with Ed Sullivan and his wife sitting across from us. We have flown on United and Canadian Airlines as well.
There are six large Islands in this Chain and many small ones that aren't only have plants and animals on them or shown on a Map. Oahu is the 4th largest, (Hawaii is the largest then, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Lanai). This Island Chain is the 50th State in the United States.
Oahu was once a much larger Island but half of it collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. It is impossible to drive arrive around the Island because the Western part are Military Bases.
My review will be a composite from the many times I've been here. We have only been to the Islands in December and January. I can almost guarantee you that if you are there on Chiasmas Day, (because it has every year I was there).
In the beginning all of the people were Polynesian but today it would be hard to find a pure Polynesian because so many people have intermarried.
The grass hula skirts were once worn topless until the Missionaries arrived. They thought this was an improper way to dress and designed a loose fitting long dress called a Mu Mu.
The Missionaries bought all the land for a few trinkets and so today you can’t own any land in Hawaii, you can lease it for 99 years.
~O ARRIVING O~
The approach to Oahu always goes past Diamond Head, (the large Mountain jutting out into the Pacific Ocean that you see in the pictures), and you come in from the Ocean and all of that side of the Island is there for you to see.
The moment you step off your aircraft a hot flower scented breeze engulfs you. It is very humid and we are always damp by the time we have rented a car.
The International Airport is between Pearl Harbor and along the Ocean part of down town Honolulu. The only thing to see here is the Port that is mostly a Cargo Port. This takes about 15 minutes to drive and then at least another 15 minutes to reach Waikiki Beach.
~O WHAT TO SEE O~
- Senior Citizens can ride the bus free so many take a tour this way.
East of the Airport there are a few towns but I didn't find there was much to see or buy. The place to see is Pearl Harbor must book your tour early if you want to take the free Harbor Cruise Tour as so many people want to visit the Arizona Ship Memorial.
The three Ships that were sunk when the Japanese attacked Oahu lies in the water below. I just read recently in the National Post, (a Canadian Newspaper), that the United States knew about the attack and had sunk a Japanese Submarine an hour before Pearl Harbor was attacked.
We never went to downtown Honolulu because it was very seedy and only had a lot of Office Buildings. We did go to see the Bishop Museum that has exhibits the Pacific Canoes (called Hokule'a), Whaling Ships and some underwater Archaeology.
The first time we were here we saw the State Capital Building, the Law Courts Building and Queen Liliuokalani's Iolani Place, (this is the only Royal Place in the United States). Outside there is a garden and a statute of Queen Liliuokalani and of Father Damien, (a Belgian Priest who gave loving care to the people who had leprosy and had been sent into exile on the Island of Molokai). Inside we saw King Kalakaua's Office and the Throne.
Then the City began to clean it up. A lot of discount Department Stores opened and we found some great buys. These were followed by small Cafes, Bar, Restaurants and Pubs. We still only go there at night.
Traveling west from downtown Honolulu toward Waikiki Beach is Chinatown. This is the best place to find Oriental Cafes, (Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese Restaurants. We attended a performance of a Big Bank Jazz Concert at the Hawaii Theater, (it's in Chinatown).
We only visited the University once and that was to see the Hula Bowl Game and to see a Japanese garden.
As you reach When we were first here, Hilo on the Island of Hawaii was the Capital City. Today, I believe that Honolulu is the Capital City. Beach there is a stretch of parks along the Ocean and some one story open Malls. When you reach the Ala Moana Shopping Center you know you are officially at the Beach. This Mall is the largest in the Islands and has about 200 Stores, (Shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and a wonderful Drug Store).
There is a downtown area at Waikiki Beach and it has blocks of Shops and places to eat and drink. There are a lot of Hotels both on and on the side streets so you'll always find a place to stay in your price range. Each Hotel has shops and places to eat as well so you never have to leave Waikiki if you don't want too.
The beach has white sand that has been flown in from other Islands. Even if we aren't staying at the Rainbow Towers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel we sit on their beach.
Traveling west of Waikiki Beach area you will pass a lot of gardens, the famous Canoe Club, a few golf courses, (the best one runs along the canal), a lot of condos, large & small houses and a few hotels.
Once you pass Diamond head reach Hanauma Bay.. This area is called the body surfing and wind surfing center of Oahu. If you have watched any wind surfing championship that are taking place in Hawaii this is the place the events are taking place.
The next Bay (a 16 mile drive), has a wonderful Beach called Kailua Beach. This is where the People who like to snorkel or deep sea dive come here to play.
''The Punchbowl'' is a non-active volcanic crater that is now the National Cemetery of the Pacific. We went there once because my friend, MM's Brother is buried there. We saw a huge Memorial that is dedicated to the more than 28,000 United States Military who were lost at sea or missing in action.
On the north shore of Oahu are lava beaches and small towns. The nicest beach here is Waiamea when the surf isn't too high.
To get back to Waikiki you have to travel over the Mountains of the Kamehameha Highway. When you get to the top of the Kolekole Pass you must stop. A long time ago when Hawaii belonged to the Polynesian Island chain each of the Islands that a Monarch. They were always fighting with each other. King Kamehameha united them all and they became one Nation. However before this happened the spot on top of the pass is where he gave his captured enemies an even change.
From the pass you can see most of Oahu and that will tell you how high up you are. The wind is always so strong here that the King had his enemies thrown off the Mountain. If the wind blew them back they were given their freedom.
I hope you'll spend a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Please try and take in one Luau, (where they roast a pig wrapped in coconut leaves in the ground), and the entertainment is a variety of Hula Dances and Songs.
~O SOME THOUGHTS O~
I know I have forgotten a lot of things to tell you about so to learn more about the other Islands the link site is:
https://oahu.worldweb.com
I loved the time we spent here and I highly recommend Oahu to you.
Aloha means hello and good-bye so Alohato you.
Thank you for reading this review.
©LL2002
